Discrete Cosmology Model: Relativistic Group Delays as a Testable Origin of Gravity and Redshift

We present the Discrete Cosmology Model (DCM), a framework that redefines mass as a discretely expanding entity subject to relativistic group delays. In contrast to the orthodox treatment, where mass is an axiomatic source of curvature, DCM provides a causal–mechanical basis: apparent gravitational effects emerge from the finite-speed propagation of mass expansion and rotation. This approach retains Einstein’s field equations, but with a modified stress–energy tensor that incorporates delay terms. The model yields three falsifiable predictions without invoking dark matter or dark energy: 1. Galactic rotation curves: a two-scale delay kernel reproduces flat outer profiles consistent with observed baryonic distributions. 2. Cosmological redshift: cumulative delay predicts a quadratic suppression of expansion rates, consistent with the Hubble tension. 3. Seismic–escape velocity convergence: a predicted correlation between seismic-wave velocity and escape velocity, validated by Apollo and InSight data, provides independent calibration. By unifying discrete particle dynamics (Compton-scale oscillations) with macroscopic group delays, DCM upgrades the definition of mass while remaining fully compatible with GR geometry. This framework highlights how apparent dark matter and dark energy phenomena can be explained as consequences of delayed expansion, offering a testable alternative cosmology rooted in observable physics.